PUEBLO SPIRITS – In the Life of Felicitas D. Goodman

Pueblo Spirits is a true story of spirit encounters in the badlands of New Mexico. It is based on the life of the internationally known anthropologist Dr. Felicitas D. Goodman.

When Dr. Felicitas Goodman (Felix) was about to retire from teaching linguistics and anthropology at a college in Ohio, she decided to buy 273 acres of New Mexican badlands. There were ruins of ancient pueblos on the property, and she thought that made it perfect for an anthropologists’ retirement. She did not know about the spirit shrine on the land. Several people had encounters with spirits there, but although she was eager to have an experience herself, nothing happened. She was warned about the dangers, but she became obsessed with contacting those spirits. That obsession drove her research until she finally discovered trance postures that open channels to the spirit world. She founded Cuyamungue institute (now called the “Felicitas D. Goodman Institute.” (www.cuyamungueinstitute.com) and wrote books and articles and gave workshops about her discoveries. Then finally the spirits took notice of her. She discovered her true name but nearly lost her life.

Felix is my mother. Before she died in 2005, she authorized this version of her life story. Her only conditions were that I point out that names have been changed, disparate events have been made simultaneous, and separate people have been rolled together into a single character. Felix discusses some of these events in her books: Where the Spirits Ride the Winds, and My Last 40 days, (both Indiana University Press).

Copyright 2014 Susan G. Josephson

How to Order: This special publication is availabe in two format; Kindle and Paperback.

The book is published by Righttree Digital, LLC, owned by Dr. Goodman’s other daughter. For more information: